Skin Care Products

Sun damage is the most common cause of skin redness, uneven pigmentation, fine wrinkling and dry skin. Many people also experience rough skin texture, enlarged pores, and pimples. All of these problems can be effectively treated with medically-based skin care programs.

The best skin care regimen is one that works below the skin's surface rejuvenating cell growth. In order for a product to penetrate the skin's surface and work on the underlying support structure, the concentration of active ingredients must be high enough to be effective. Most over the counter skin products are not strong enough to do the job. When using effective products on your skin, you should be monitored regularly by a medical professional trained in skin care.

We are highly selective about any skin care products we recommend. Products come on the market all the time and there is a wide variety available. However, there are ingredients that are common across most of the product lines. What changes between the product lines is the concentration of active ingredients and the way the products are combined.

During your consultation our skin health specialist will analyze your skin type, skin sensitivity, and improvement goals to choose the best combination of products for your condition. Plus, as you use the products, your skin will change and have different care needs.

Most at-home skin care programs include:

Cleanser

Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Retin-A or Retinol

Antioxidants

Pigment Lightening Agents

Moisturizer

Growth Factors

Peptides

Vitamins

Sunscreen

Plus, regular peel procedures done in our office

Skin Care Product Lines

We currently offer the product lines listed below. Your skin health specialist will recommend the best products to achieve your goals. Many of these products require medical supervision.

Beauté Pacifique

Skin Medica

Revision

SkinCeuticals

Theraderm

Beaute` Pacifique

Nia

Vitamedica Vitamins

Viviscal Supplement for Hair Growth

Various Skincare Products

Fruit Acids (AHAs)

Fruit acid is friendlier name for a group of naturally-occurring acids known as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). Fruit acids are basic to any skin care program because they are excellent tools for exfoliation. AHAs loosen the glue that holds dead skin cells together on the surface of the skin. When cell turnover is increased with the use of AHAs, new skin is created. Fresh, new skin is more flexible, smoother and has a more even tone.

AHAs are also highly effective tools because the exfoliation process enhances the absorption of other products. The regular use of AHAs can actually improve the chemical composition of the skin instead of just temporarily affecting the way it feels and looks.

Antioxidants

Sun damage also contributes to the production of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are damaged molecules swimming through the body looking for healthy cells from which to steal electrons in order to become balanced. This scavenger process destroys skin and speeds up the aging process.

Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals. Research also shows that Vitamin C increases collagen production, an important support structure for skin and acts as additional protection when used in conjunction with sunscreen. Other powerful antioxidants such as green tea extract and other botanicals are found in many of our products.

Retin-A & Retinol

Most skin programs aimed at improving fine wrinkles will include the use of of Retin-A, or Retinol, the only product on the market FDA approved for reducing wrinkles. Retin-A works by penetrating the skin's surface and repairing lower layers where collagen and elastin are produced by stimulating new cell production. As new, healthier cells grow, skin looks smoother (less wrinkled) and pores look smaller. Retin-A can improve the appearance of fine lines, mottled pigmentation, skin color and moisture levels. True Retin-A is available only by prescription and must be used with regular medical supervision.

Vitamins

For the improvements of any skin care program to be long-lasting, nutritional intake must occur at proper levels. While a significant portion of antioxidant protection can be supplied by a good diet containing fresh fruits and vegetables, a well-formulated vitamin supplement serves as a foundation for good health.

We offer an all-inclusive tablet system that targets the skin and is easy to follow. We also carry a very effective surgery kit to help the body prepare and recover from surgery.

Peptides

Peptides are chains of amino acids that are the building blocks of proteins in the skin. When peptides form a long chain of amino acids, they become proteins. When they are in a short chain of amino acids, they are able to penetrate the top layer of our skin and send signals to our cells to let them know how to function.

One important protein in our skin is collagen. Collagen gives our skin its thickness and suppleness. When collagen breaks down in the skin (from age and environmental factors like the sun and stress), wrinkles form. Peptides applied topically to the skin can send a signal to collagen to prompt the formation of new collagen, to give the appearance of more youthful, supple skin.

Moisturizers

Moisturizers hydrate the outer layer of skin, which makes the skin look smoother and feel more elastic. The effect is temporary. When an effective skin care program is combined with good nutrition and adequate water intake, your body should create its own hydrated skin.

However, we usually include a moisturizer in our skin care programs for two reasons:

During the more aggressive early stages of correction, the skin may be more irritated and sensitive. A good moisturizer can relieve the minor discomfort.

ome of the moisturizers we recommend contain a strong protective sunscreen, a crucial component of a skin care program. By combining the moisturizer with a sunscreen, patients with a hurried lifestyle can apply two products with one step.

Pigment Lightening Agents

One of the most obvious signs of sun damage is uneven skin pigmentation, age spots, freckles and darker, blotchy patches. To correct this condition, a pigment lightening agent is used to lighten the darker areas. Hydroquinone is the most common ingredient and is the only FDA approved product for bleaching. Color correction can usually be achieved within a few months, and once the goal is reached effective skin care can maintain your results.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens contain chemicals or physical blocks that filter the sun's UV rays. If you are using any skin health products, your skin will be more sensitive to sun exposure and you will need broad spectrum sunscreen protection anytime you go outside. We have several different ones to choose from depending upon your needs and preferences.

Growth Factors

Growth factors are naturally occurring proteins at the cellular level of skin development. As we age the ability to create growth factors intrinsically diminishes. Growth factors were added to skin treatments to aid in the healing process for patients who had wound healing problems. It soon became apparent that these same ingredients would assist in skin rejuvenation for antiaging as well.

Benefits:

reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as a result of new collagen synthesis

improving the appearance of age spots and evens out pigmentation

reducing skin roughness

improving skin texture and elasticity

improving skin smoothness and tightness.

How Long Does It Take?

Skin health products take time to achieve the desired improvements, usually 4 to 6 months before overt improvement is noticeable. You will notice subtle changes within 6 to 8 weeks, but a final result will take longer to develop. Once all the corrections are achieved, regular maintenance (along with good nutrition, exercise and hydration) will be required to continue the improvements.